Last Monday, the extended deadline granted to Canal Gestión Lanzarote to reach an agreement with the Island Water Consortium expired. With no firm proposal submitted, and the alternative of involving Sacyr and Aqualia to maintain the existing agreement since June 2013 having failed, the island president, Oswaldo Betancort, has declared the contract resolved.
“"We are moving towards closing a chapter of the contractual procedure after a rigorous, serious process with all legal guarantees, which has included a thorough audit of the management carried out by Canal Gestión over these years. It is now time to make firm decisions in defense of the general interest and users."
The next step will be to submit the resolution proposal to the assembly of the Island Water Consortium, where the Cabildo holds 60% and the seven municipalities the remaining 40%. This meeting is expected to take place early next week. The decision may not be unanimous, given the critical stance of the PSOE regarding the negotiations conducted by the island government group (CC-PP).
The Cabildo's representation, along with the municipalities of Arrecife, Teguise, and Tinajo, are expected to vote in favor. Conversely, representatives from San Bartolomé, Tías, Haría, and Yaiza might abstain or even vote against. The resolution will open three possible future scenarios: direct management, shared public-private management (considered unlikely), or a new tender for the integrated water cycle, given the interest from other companies in the sector.
Before becoming valid, the decision must be approved by the Canary Islands Consultative Council. During the transfer process, Canal Gestión Lanzarote will continue to provide its services, as confirmed by Domingo Cejas, the island's Water Councillor. Additionally, a tender has been launched to improve the water supply network in Masdache, with an investment of nearly 123,500 euros to renovate 900 meters of piping. The deadline for submitting bids is the 17th.
